Packing holder for fragile articles



y 1933- M. KOPPELMAN PACKING HOLDER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 8, 1930 May 23, KOPPELMAN 1,911,175

PACKING H OLDER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'Filed Aug. 8, 1930 May 23, 1933. M KOPPELMAN I 1,911,175

PACKING HOLDER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed Aug. 8, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 23, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PACKING HOLDER FOB' FEAGILE ARTICLES Application filed August 8, 1930. Serial No. 478,985.

The present improvements relate to packing for fragile articles of the general type described and claimed in my Patent No. 1,746,838 of February 11, 1930 and in the copending application of Gray, et al., Serial No. 427,116 filed February 10, 1930, upon which the present invention is an improvement.

A primary object, among others, is to provide a foldable holder of the general type indicated wherein the fragile articles, such as' eggs, fruits and other globular articles, which are packed therein, are protected against crushing or breakage from above and below. a

A further'object oi the improvements is to provide amore substantial and durable holder which is capable of absorbing and resistin shocks tending to impair the contents. mproved cushion means as well as novel foldable means are therefore provided contributing various advantages and results. Another object is to provide an improved holder for use as a container itself without any wrapper, or as a holder or filler within other cartons or containers. Further objects and advantages of the improvements will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification and drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of the improved holder in unfolded position;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a section online 33 of Fig. 4:; Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the holder ,in folded position; Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 4; Figs. 6 and 7 are plan and sectional views respectively of a portion of a modified form.

Reference may he had to my aforementioned patent for details of the general type of holder or filler described herein and also for the methods employed in forming this one piece member.

In the embodiments illustrated herein, the cartongor filler also consists of a single sheet of material, all'partsof which are preterably formed integral with the sheetin one operation. The sheet is preferably formed by the pulp sucking or felting process wherein floating fibres are drawn against a screen member, so that the carton or filler is created complete in one operation. Accordingly, the foraminous die or mold is so shaped that the pulp deposited thereon will assume the prescribed form and contour of the filler.

In the present embodiment, a portion only of sheet 10 is illustrated for convenience. Said sheet comprises a plurality of substantially parallel sections or wall portions 11 to 14:. Each wall portion includes a series of alternately disposed projections 15, 15, 16, 16 and depressions 20 merging with one another and with the edges of the portions, so as to present a wall member of continuously curved or arched surfaces. Although any desired number of the elements may be provided to comprise the walls, I preferably provide seven projections and six'depressions in each wall in the manner observed in my patent. The sheet 10, thus arranged, is capable of receiving a dozen individual articles as will appear later.

The projections aforementioned define separators or partitions for individual articles and are of substantially pyramidal or prismatic form, the walls thereof being curved or camhered toward the depressions with which they merge. As illustrated these pro jections or protuberances substantially traverse the wall portions of which they form an integral part. Referring to elements 15 and 16, it is seen that they protrude to their greatest extent substantially medially of the wall portion, at which region, their outermost portions are narrow in the nature of a ridge. However these formations are broader adjacent the edges or the wall portions, for example at 1'? where they curve or camher toward the upper folding means, and at 18 where they extend to meet the lower folding means, curving away in opposite directions where they merge with the lower curved portions of the depressions.

The separators or partitions 15 and 16 on the outer side walls 11 and 12 respectively are similar in many respects to their complementary elements 15 and 16, except that the cambered end portions 17 are dispensed with and the elements retain their protruding W9 form to the edges of the walls. It is apparent that the upper portions of elements 15' tegral with the sheet and and 16 curve away from the rid es, the latter however extendin to the e ges of the walls so that they define indentations of the curved or scalloped edges 19 as clearly seen in Fig. 4. A comparison of elements 15, 16,16" ma be clearly observed in Fig. 3, where the olded condition of the holder is illustrated.

The depressions are on -like recesses inisposed between acent projections. In the present embodiment these depressions are concave and are substantially ovalshaped. While. these depressions extend in a direction opposite to that of the projections, it is notable that the 'curved walls of the depressions merge with their flanking projections, so that a halfovoid cavity results.

It will be observed that the depressions 20 and projections 15, 16 are similar to those of my patent, wherein these elements on one wall member are disposed opposite to those of the adjacent wall member, so that similar members on adjacent wall members are complementary.

Adjacent or complementary wall members 11, 13 and 12, 14 are united by an integral folding means 22 defining a hinge whereby the walls may be folded towards each other. This folding means has been illustrated in enlarged views (Fi 3 and 5) where their relation has been s ightly exa gerated for convenience in explanation. means 22 form, with the converging lower curved surfaces of recesses 20 and portions 18 of the projections, a minute U-shaped channel (Fig. 2). When folded this channel is more pronounced at some points as seen in Fig. 3, than at others as seen in Fig. 5.

As set forth in my prior patent, thelower curved surfaces of the depressions 20 converge toward the folding means 22 and merge therewith slightly above the lowermost limits of said means.

Referring to Fig. 1, it is seen that depressions or ribs 23 intersect hinge means 22, said members being bulged from the curved surfaces of the depressions and extending toward the member 22.

- The lower curved surfaces of recesses 20 are (provided with cushion means of any desire form or quantity. Preferably they consist of portions raised or bulged from the surface of the recess as seen at 25. It is thus seen that when the holder is folded, these cushions coo rate to provide a cushion base upon whic may rest and thus have its lower portion slightly raised above the lower limit of the holder which is defined by the bottom of folding means 22. It is notable that the cushioned areas 25 may be provided by the intersection of members 22 and 23, since they The folding an individual article protrude from the lower surfaces of depressions 20. The provision of the cushions in this manner may be preferable, although either method provides raised formations at the base of the ovoidal cavity.

As illustrated, the inner wall members 13 hinge means and functions to receive, absorb and dissipate shocks, thereby protecting the packed articles.

Uponreference to Figures 3, 4 and 5, sheet 10 is seen in foldedrelation to form an article holder. Through this simple folding operation the inner walls 13 and 14 are brought substantially back to back, while their complementary outer walls 11 and 12 are also disposed in upstanding relation with the complementary projections and depressions of each of the four walls brought into juxtaposition, the projections substantially meeting along their medial or lower limits. Accordingly, the depressions 20 together with the separators or partitions 15, 15', 16, 16, provide 'a' pluralit of individual cells or compartments, each aving a cushion base provided by members 25. The curved and merging walls of the partitions and depressions provide rounded or ovoid shaped cells which conform to the contour of an egg which is adapted to seat on the cushione members. The contraction or convergence of the lower surfaces of. the de ressions, insures that the lower walls of tlie completed compartment will conform to the contour of an egg. However, it is apparent that the shape of the article conforming depressions may be varied to suit the contour of other articles. In packed condition the articles are inclosed and supported by the holder, are completely separated one from the other, and are efliciently cushioned and protected due to the form and texture of the holder and its 7 various elements.

In addition to advantages already noted. the present improvements provide individual cushioning means for the packed articles without sacrificing the advantages of my patented structure. When the articles are packed in the holder, as for example in a surrounding carton 35 (see Fig. 3) it is important that they be protected from shocks from above as well as from all directions, and accordingly the present improvements provide the upstanding central connecting portion 30 as well as the outer scalloped edges '19 having the inwardly protecting portions 36, all of which extend vertically above the level of the eggs for receiving the shocks or pressure which otherwise-might be experienced by the tips of the eggs themselves.

Although the upstanding central hinged portion 30 serves to protect the contents of the holder from shocks received along the central portion of the carton or wrapper 35, heretofore no provision has been made for the protection of the articles from shocks sustained between the center and outer edges of the carton, that is, shocks received directly over the rows of eggs. Accordingly the top of the carton 35 bulged inwardly until the tops of the eggs were encountered whence the shocks were transferred directly to the eggs with the possible breakage thereof. However, by extending the separators or partitions 15 16 vertically to the point 36 so that they are substantially flush with the member 30, the shortcomings of prior devices have been eliminated. As aforementioned. the upper edges of these partitions provide a scalloped edge with the points 36 providing a series of pressure resisting elements which prevent the top of the carton from bulging inwardly under pressure, thereby protecting the rows of eggs at points in alignment with their upper ends, and between the outer and central portions of the holder.

This refinement of construction cannot be overemphasized in a W-shaped filler of this character, wherein the upper areas of the V-shaped component must necessarily expose the articles. By attaining this desired result in a one-piece filler, the advantages of my patented construction both as regards function and convenience in manufacture,'have not been sacrificed.

lt is manifest upon reference to Figure 3 and others that the substantially U-shaped folding means 22 itself provides a longitudinal cushion means along the bottom of each row beneath the packed articles. This arrangement likewise presents a relatively flat surface in the nature of a base. Furthermore, the fact that the members 22 having a slight width, the projecting partitions are enabled to approach and contact thereover, which might not be the case where a single fold line is provided. It is possible in this construction last referred to, thatan excess of pulp fibres might be deposited in such a manner as to prevent meeting of the partitions along the desired areas.

In addition to the assurance that the partitions may engage. it is seen that the U-shaped hinge means provides an air duct longitudinally of each row along the bottoms thereof. Furthermore, the provision of this type of folding means is unusually advantageous since the region where the actual bending or folding takes place is not limited to a single line but, when made, may follow its own ofthe holder, itis notable that they serve as buffers or spacers, and therefore prevent the articles as well as the article compartments of one cell row from contacting or engaging thoseof the adjacent cell row. Accordingly the curved depressions 20 are spaced one from 7 another, even though the ribs 23' are enga ing, and the said wall members are in uprig t article holding position. It is notable also that the upper portions of ribs 23 as well as the shorter ribs 31 stiffen the cup-shaped re- $0 cesses and also the connecting portion 30.

The holder of the modified form illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 is substantially the same as that of the form first described, except that the separators or partitions 15 and 16" are '35 omitted, the elements substituted therefor being similar to the partitions 15 and 16 of the inner upstanding walls 13 and 14:. As set forth in my patented structure, it is apparent that the upstanding .walls, cup-shaped depressions and engaging partitions, serve as mg shocks laterally, vertically, and obliquely of the holder.

Various modifications of the improvements W may occur to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the purview of the invention.

I claim:

1. A foldable holder having side wall MN? members united by folding means defining a double hinge therefor, complementary depressions in said members having surfaces converging toward said means, one of said surfaces terminating above the lowermost EM limit of said folding means.

2. A foldable holder having side wall members united by folding means defining a double hinge therefor, complementary depressions in said members having surfaces m converging toward said means, one of said surfaces terminating above the lowermost limit of said folding means and a portion depressed from said last named surface, said portion extending toward the lowermost limit 116 of said folding means.

3. An article of manufacture comprising a sheet of material having folding means for folding same into a plurality of inclined walls defining substantially V-shaped rows, 120

ing a U-shaped area with the lower limits of the rows and providing bases for the several rows. I

4. A holder for fragile articles comprising a sheet of material created with a series of rows of depressions and projections therein,;

cushions or spacers for cushioning and resistm1t of the wall and defining the upper-.

most edge thereof, the vertical edges of said pro'ections extending undeviatingliy in a vertical plane and substantially aligne with said hinge portion and terminating above the limlts of the articles received in said depressions, at points substantiallyjn register with upper edge o the axial planes of such articles.

6. In a foldable holder, an upstanding wall having a hinge ortion, said wall having a pluralit of epressions and bulged formations de ning partitions, said partitions extendin e wall the forward edges said partitions being substantially vertical and the upper edges substantially horizontal. g

7. A holder for fragile articles comprising a sheet of material having article holding ortions and connecting portions, said sheet ing foldable along 881d connecting portions to form a W-shaped holder and means defining the upper edges of said holder protrudin horizontall and inwardly to a position su stantially a ove said connecting portions and thence downwardly for protecting the contents thereof. I

8. A foldable V-shaped receptacle having side walls connected by a hinge member, one

of said walls having a bulged formation defining a partition extending, without receding, to the upper limit of the wall.

9. A foldable W-shaped receptacle having outer and inner side walls connected by hinge members, the outer walls having bulged formations defining artitions having upstanding edges extend ing substantially in a single plane to the upper limits of the walls, the hinge member between the said inner walls being substantially flush with the upper limits of the-outer walls. A

10. In a fra ile article holder, a substantially V-shape compartment the side walls of which have protruding article separators certain of said separators extending vertical- 1y to a eater extent than the others.

1 1. n upstanding foldable receptacle having side 'wall members and a hinge between same adjacent the base thereof, bulged formations protruding from said walls and forming separators between individual articles, said formations originating adjacent said hin e and extending upwardl therefrom, an terminating at unequal heights the upwardly to and forming the t upper edges of the higher formations-being substantially horizontal.

12. An upstanding foldable receptacle having side wall members and a hinge between same adjacent the base thereof, a row of bulged formations protruding from each wall and forming se arators between individual articles, said ormations originating adjacent said hinge and extending upwardly therefrom, one row of formations being higher than the; other row the upper edges of the formations of the higher row being substantially horizontal.

13. A foldable holder having wall members connected by hinge means, said wall members havingi 'protruding partition means registering with one another whereby upon folding the walls, said partition means provide article compartments, said hinge means comprising substantially parallel spaced hinge lines whereby adjacent edges of the wall members are spaced. 1

14:. Ina fragile article holder, 8. vertical memberjdefining the wall of a row for packing fragile articles, a hin e member at the bottom of said wall for olding same, and bulged formations on said wall having their upper horizontal edges substantially at right angles to their erect edges.

Witness my hand this 7th day of August, 1930, county of New York, State of New York.

MORRIS KOPPELMAN. 

